U.S. patent application number 09/834527 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-17 for pull tab on tear strip on plastic cover.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ropak Corporation. Invention is credited to Luburic, Frano.
Application Number | 20020148834 09/834527 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25267132 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020148834 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Luburic, Frano |
October 17, 2002 |
Pull tab on tear strip on plastic cover
Abstract
Apparatus and related methods for a container lid include a pull
structure affixed to one end of a tearstrip and positioned in an
outer flange of the lid, the pull structure having a portion shaped
to receive and engage a manipulator such as at least one finger of
a user's hand, to assist the user to initiate tearing of the
tearstrip from the lid. The shaped portion of the pull structure is
configured to eliminate the need to grip the tearstrip between
opposing digits of the user's hand.
Inventors: |
Luburic, Frano; (Anaheim
Hills, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
J MARK HOLLAND & ASSOCIATES
3 CIVIC PLAZA SUITE 210
NEWPORT BEACH
CA
92660
|
Assignee: |
Ropak Corporation
|
Family ID: |
25267132 |
Appl. No.: |
09/834527 |
Filed: |
April 12, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/270 ;
220/276 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00518
20130101; B65D 2543/00833 20130101; B65D 2543/00805 20130101; B65D
2543/0074 20130101; B65D 2543/00685 20130101; B65D 2543/00537
20130101; B65D 43/0256 20130101; B65D 2401/25 20200501; B65D
2543/00194 20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101; B65D 2543/00379
20130101; B65D 2543/00555 20130101; B65D 2543/00629 20130101; B65D
2543/00796 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/270 ;
220/276 |
International
Class: |
B65D 017/34; B65D
017/40 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A tearstrip assembly in combination with a lid, including a pull
ring molded at one end of said tearstrip, said lid having a
downwardly-depending skirt integrally molded at its periphery, said
pull ring initially positioned within said skirt.
2. A container lid having a tearstrip, said tearstrip being
injection molded as an integral part of said lid prior to removal
of said tearstrip from the remainder of said lid, said tearstrip
including a pull structure affixed to one end and positioned in an
outer flange of said lid, said pull structure having a portion
shaped to receive at least one finger of a user's hand to assist
the user to initiate tearing of said tearstrip from said lid, said
removal of said tearstrip permitting opening of said lid from its
associated container, said shaped portion configured to eliminate
the need to grip said tearstrip between opposing digits on the
user's hand in order to initiate said tearing.
3. The lid of claim 2 or claim 9, in which said shaped portion of
said pull structure is not oval.
4. The lid of claim 2 or claim 9, in which said shaped portion of
said pull structure is generally C-shaped.
5. The lid of claim 4, in which said generally C-shaped pull
structure portion constitutes an uncompleted loop, in which said
uncompleted portion of said loop is directed generally
downwardly.
6. The lid of claim 2 or claim 9, including frangible connections
between said pull structure and adjacent portions of said lid, said
frangible connections providing tamper-evidencing and helping to
hold said pull structure in general alignment with said adjacent
portions of said lid prior to tearing said tearstrip.
7. The lid of claim 2 or claim 9, in which said tearstrip is
positioned within said lid such that removal of said entire
tearstrip leaves a remaining portion of said lid that is capable of
covering the corresponding opening in the associated container.
8. A method of closing and opening a container, including the steps
of: providing a container lid having a tearstrip, said tearstrip
being injection molded as part of said lid prior to removal of said
tearstrip from the remainder of said lid, said tearstrip including
a pull structure affixed to one end and positioned in an outer
flange of said lid, said pull structure having a portion shaped to
receive at least one finger of a user's hand to assist the user to
initiate tearing of said tearstrip from said lid, said removal of
said tearstrip permitting opening of said lid from its associated
container, said shaped portion configured to eliminate the need to
grip said tearstrip between opposing digits on the user's hand;
assembling said lid on said container; engaging at least one finger
with said shaped portion of said pull structure; pulling with said
at least one finger to tear said tearstrip from said lid; and
removing said lid from said container.
9. A container lid having a tearstrip, said tearstrip being
injection molded as an integral part of said lid prior to removal
of said tearstrip from the remainder of said lid, said tearstrip
including a pull structure affixed to one end and positioned in an
outer flange of said lid, said pull structure having a
manipulator-engaging portion to assist in tearing of said tearstrip
from said lid, said removal of said tearstrip permitting opening of
said lid from its associated container, said manipulator-engaging
portion including a return portion angled by more than 90 degrees
with respect to a lengthwise axis of said tearstrip so that said
return portion provides an effective hook for engaging a
manipulator.
10. A method of closing and opening a container, including the
steps of: providing a container lid having a tearstrip, said
tearstrip being injection molded as part of said lid prior to
removal of said tearstrip from the remainder of said lid, said
tearstrip including a pull structure affixed to one end and
positioned in an outer flange of said lid, said pull structure
having a portion shaped to at least partially wrap around a
manipulator and provide selective engagement with said manipulator
to assist in tearing of said tearstrip from said lid, said removal
of said tearstrip permitting opening of said lid from its
associated container; assembling said lid on said container;
engaging at manipulator with said shaped portion of said pull
structure; pulling with said manipulator to tear said tearstrip
from said lid; and removing said lid from said container.
11. The method of claim 10, in which said manipulator-engaging
portion includes a return portion angled by more than 90 degrees
with respect to a lengthwise axis of said tearstrip so that said
return portion provides an effective hook for engaging a
manipulator.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to apparatus and methods regarding
container lids having tearstrips, and more particularly to
providing a pull tab on such a tear strip.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Tearstrips are commonly provided to enable relatively easy
removal of lids from their associated containers. They can also
provide some indication of tamper evidence with respect to the
sealed container (e.g., has the sealed container been opened
previously). Such tearstrips have been provided within injection
molded lids, among others.
[0003] Within injection molded lids, however, it can remain
relatively difficult for a user to grasp the end of the tearstrip
to initiate removal of the tearstrip. Simple tabs formed at the end
of the tearstrip remain relatively unsatisfactory in that regard,
at least in comparison to the present invention. Other approaches
do not provide a reusable lid to cover the container opening once
the tearstrip is removed, require more complicated molding, may be
less susceptible to ready stacking and nesting (especially with
other existing containers and lids), and have other
shortcomings.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an
improved lid and tearstrip combination.
[0005] It is another object of this invention to provide a
tearstrip assembly in combination with a lid, including a pull ring
molded at one end of the tearstrip. The lid is characterized by a
downwardly-depending skirt integrally molded at its periphery, with
the pull ring initially positioned within the skirt.
[0006] A further object of this invention is the provision of a
container lid having a tamper-indicating tearstrip, the tearstrip
being injection molded as an integral part of the lid prior to
removal of the tearstrip from the remainder of the lid. The
tearstrip includes a pull structure affixed to one end and
positioned in an outer flange of the lid, and has a portion shaped
to receive at least one finger of a user's hand to assist the user
to initiate tearing of the tearstrip from the lid. Removal of the
tearstrip permits opening of the lid from its associated container,
and the shaped portion on the tearstrip is configured to eliminate
the need to grip the tearstrip between opposing digits on the
user's hand in order to initiate the tearing.
[0007] An additional object of this invention is the provision of a
tearstrip having a portion shaped to at least partially wrap around
a manipulator and provide selective engagement with the manipulator
to assist in tearing of the tearstrip from a lid.
[0008] Yet another object of this invention is the provision of a
tearstrip positioned within a lid such that removing the entire
tearstrip permits the container to be opened but also leaves a
remaining portion of the lid that is capable of covering the
corresponding opening in the associated container.
[0009] An additional object of this invention is the provision of a
method of closing and opening a container, using a lid having the
aforementioned characteristics.
[0010] Other objects and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following specification and the accompanying
drawings, which are for the purpose of illustration only.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1A is an isometric view of a container lid assembled
with a container (of which only the upper container portion is
shown), illustrating various general aspects of prior art
tearstrips, with the tearstrip shown partially removed (this FIG.
1A is a copy of FIG. 10 of my U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,968).
[0012] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the
tearstrip features of the invention, illustrating a circular finger
or manipulator opening for the pull structure at an end of the
tearstrip.
[0013] FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, but illustrates one of the many
alternative embodiments of the invention, an oval finger or
manipulator opening.
[0014] FIG. 3 is similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, but illustrates another
of the many alternative embodiments of the invention, a trapezoidal
finger or manipulator opening.
[0015] FIG. 4 is similar to FIGS. 1-3, but illustrates yet another
of the many alternative embodiments of the invention, a generally
C-shaped finger or manipulator opening.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along reference line 5-5 of
FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] FIGS. 1 and 5 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the
invention, and FIGS. 2-4 illustrate some of the many alternative
embodiments. Broadly, instead of a tab such as tab 42 in FIG. 1A or
similar structure that requires a user to grip the end of the
tearstrip between a finger and thumb (or other digits on the user's
hands), the invention provides an improved engagement structure for
a user's finger.
[0018] The structure of the invention facilitates easier use for
any given tearstrip structure, as compared to conventional
tearstrips. Among other things, the improved grippability of the
invention permits lids to have thicker (and therefore more rugged
and sturdy) tearlines as may be desirable for certain applications,
while still permitting a user to remove the tearstrip without undue
effort.
[0019] Certain basic concepts regarding tearstrips and related
matters are disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,968, and the
teachings of that patent are expressly incorporated by reference
herein. For example, FIG. 1A illustrates a tearstrip 40 partially
removed from a container lid 10 (with lid 10 assembled with a
container 12). This particular tearline pattern leaves a reclosable
tab 70 on the lid. A user typically grasps the end 42 of the
tearstrip to initiate tearing and removal of the tearstrip from the
lid.
[0020] Although FIG. 1A illustrate a round lid with a sinuous
tearline pattern, persons of ordinary skill in the art will
understand that the invention is useful on a wide variety of lids
and corresponding containers, including without limitation square,
rectangular, hinged, non-hinged, recessed, and others.
[0021] In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, the end of the
tearstrip 30 includes a pull ring or pull structure 32 molded at
one end of said tearstrip. Preferably, the pull structure 32 is
integrally molded as part of the tearstrip. Also preferably, the
pull ring or structure 32 is formed in a downwardly-depending skirt
34 integrally molded at the periphery of the lid 36, so that the
pull ring is initially positioned within said skirt (prior to
removal of the tearstrip from the lid).
[0022] Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that
the preferred tearstrip 30 can function to provide
tamper-indicating, and that the tearstrip 30 is preferably
injection molded as an integral part of the lid. Moreover, the
preferred lid and tearstrip are fabricated by injection molding or
similar process, to provide a suitably strong, lightweight closure
for a corresponding container. Persons of ordinary skill in the art
will understand that the invention may be effectively practiced
with a wide variety of materials and fabrication methods.
[0023] Frangible connector portions 38 are preferably provided to
retain the pull ring or structure 32 in general alignment with the
lid skirt 34 prior to removing the tearstrip. Among other things,
this provides tamper-evidencing and helps ensure stackability and
nesting (as discussed elsewhere herein) as compared to embodiments
without such portions (in which the pull ring 32 might bend toward
or away from the center of the lid 36 due to heat shrinkage or the
like). As with other preferred features discussed herein, however,
the connector portions 38 are not required for practicing and
receiving many of the benefits of the invention.
[0024] Reinforcing ribs 39 are preferably provided to improve the
strength of the pull ring 32. Although the ribs 39 are illustrated
as being generally vertical, they can be provided horizontally,
angled, cross-hatched, or a wide variety of patterns, including not
providing any ribs 32 at all.
[0025] Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that,
as illustrated, the tearstrip 30 is preferably removed from the lid
36 by inserting a finger or other digit in the opening 37, and
pulling in the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 1. This is
the opposite direction from that shown in FIG. 1A, but persons of
ordinary skill in the art will understand that either direction can
be effectively utilized. For many applications, the tearing
direction will not be important.
[0026] The opening 37 can be provided in any suitable shape. Among
the many alternative embodiments are those shown in FIG. 2 (oval
shape 50), FIG. 3 (trapezoidal shape 52), and FIG. 4 (generally
C-shaped structure 54). By way of further illustration and not by
way of limitation, persons of ordinary skill in the art will
understand that the finger gripping section on the tearstrip can be
provided similarly to the generally C-shape of FIG. 4, but inverted
so that the uncompleted portion of the C-loop faces downwardly
(rather than upward and to the right, as shown in FIG. 4). In all
such embodiments, the tearline aspect of the tearstrip 30 and its
removal from the lid 36 can be provided in any suitable manner,
such as by a straight or generally horizontal tearline, a sinuous
tearline (see FIG. 1A), or otherwise.
[0027] By positioning the pull ring or structure 32 generally
within the plane of a downwardly depending skirt 34, the lid can be
readily stacked and nested, before or after assembly on a
container, and before or after removal of the tearstrip 30 from the
lid 36. For embodiments in which it is desirable to reuse the lid
to cover the container opening after the tearstrip has been
removed, the entire tearstrip can be located within the skirt 34
about the periphery of the lid 36.
[0028] A related preferred method of using the tearstrip of the
invention involves providing a lid having the aforementioned
characteristics, assembling the lid on a corresponding container,
engaging at least one finger with the shaped portion of the pull
structure, pulling with the at least one finger to tear the
tearstrip from the lid, and removing the lid from the container.
Prior to the engaging step, the sealed container can be
transported, stored, or otherwise handled and processed.
[0029] Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that
the tearstrip can be torn from the lid or otherwise manipulated by
things other than human fingers. Although much of the description
herein focuses on a user's fingers and other digits on the user's
hands, the relevant tearstrip portion can also be considered to be
shaped to at least partially wrap around a manipulator (such as a
finger, pencil, hook, etc.) to provide selective engagement with
the manipulator to assist in tearing of the tearstrip from a lid.
In other words, instead of engaging the shaped portion with your
finger or fingers, you can hook it with a tool or other device.
[0030] Preferably, the manipulator-engaging portion (such as
illustrated in FIGS. 2-5) includes a return portion angled by more
than 90 degrees with respect to a lengthwise axis of the tearstrip.
By "bending back" in the direction of the tearstrip, the return
portion provides an effective hook for engaging a manipulator
(again, such as a hook, screwdriver, finger, etc.).
[0031] Although the preferred embodiment of the invention has been
described with some specificity, the description and drawings set
forth herein are not intended to be delimiting, and persons of
ordinary skill in the art will understand that various
modifications may be made to the embodiments discussed herein
without departing from the scope of the invention, and all such
changes and modifications are intended to be encompassed within the
appended claims.
* * * * *